Bordetella avium

Bordetella avium is a gram negative, nonfermentative, strictly aerobic, motile bacterium from the genus Bordetella which has been isolated from patients with respiratory disease (cystic fibrosis). B. avium has a global distribution, that mainly affects young domesticated turkeys. The disease in birds is called bordetellosis, and is largely associated with confined spaces and multi-aged flocks where management practices are sub optimal. In most infections, mortality is typically low but morbidity is very high.

The pathogenesis of B. avium is through fimbrial attachment to the respiratory epithelium and release of a variety of virulence factors, leading to respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, ocular and nasal discharge, and inflammation. Further complications include edema, tracheal collapse, and decreased growth rate. Bordetellosis has a major impact on turkey health within turkey production systems but the impact in wild birds is not yet well defined. Good management practice and biosecurity protocols are essential for controlling disease caused by B. avium as the efficacy of antibiotics treatments for disease are variable, and prevention with vaccinations may not provide complete protection.